SC Alaska News

A federal grand jury in Alaska has indicted an Anchorage man for being a felon in possession of a firearm during an encounter with police. The incident, which occurred on September 23, 2024, involved Jalen Baker, 23, who was allegedly found with a firearm during the confrontation.

According to court documents and a press release from the Anchorage Police Department (APD), officers responded to a shooting in Anchorage where two individuals were injured. The suspect was located at a nearby trailer home park. During the encounter, the suspect fired at officers, injuring one officer in the lower body before barricading himself inside a trailer.

The investigation identified Jalen Baker as the suspect. He was taken into custody at the scene. At that time, Baker had a prior felony conviction for assault in Alaska from 2022.

Baker faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in a school zone. His initial court appearance is scheduled for a later date before a U.S. Magistrate Judge from the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering relevant guidelines and factors.

U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska made the announcement alongside Jonathan Blais, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division, and Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case.

The ATF and APD are investigating with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody Tirpak is prosecuting this case.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.